Winchendon Memorial Day Weekend Schedule of Events
Saturday, May 28
10:00 a.m. Starting at Calvary Cemetery on Glenallen Street, decorate Veterans' graves with flags
Sunday, May 29
10:00 a.m. Mass service at United Parish Church, 39 Front St., veteran roll call reading the names of all Winchendon Veterans who died during war time.
2:00 p.m. Veterans' Tribute Concert performed by Winchendon Winds. At UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central St. Co-hosted with Winchendon American Legion Post 193. Color guard, veterans "roll call" and blessing, patriotic tunes, post-concert lawn reception. Free admission.
Monday, May 30
8:00 a.m. Honor departed Veterans beginning at Calvary cemetery on Glenallen Street, then moving to Riverside Cemetery and ending at Old Centre cemetery.
10:30 a.m. Memorial Day Parade beginning at Legion Park (Pleasant and Front Streets, next to Town Hall). All participants should arrive by 10:15 a.m. The parade will proceed to VFW Park and then to G.A.R. Park. Upon arriving there, a ceremony will be held at the gazebo at G.A.R. park, approximately 11:00 a.m.
In the event of bad weather, there will be no parade, and the ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Winchendon American Legion Post 193, 295 School Street.
Izapa Stela 5 LLC Moving Forward with Cannabis Facility on School Street
703 School Street. It has previously been occupied by a furniture store and an auction house.Photo by Inanna Arthen
At the Board of Selectmen's meeting on Monday, May 23, Tolla Sears and Isaac Stahl of Izapa Stela 5 LLC and Nicholas Mortillaro, a chemical engineer and cannibis industry advisor to Izapa Stela 5 LLC, appeared for a Community Outreach public hearing for the proposed marijuana cultivation, manufacturing and retail facility at 703 School Street.
Previously, a locally owned entity, Not Your Grandpa's Tobacco Inc, had a Host Community Agreement (HCA) with the town for a proposed marijuana cultivation and retail business at 703 School Street. Not Your Grandpa's Tobacco Inc had a provisional license (PDF) granted by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. Mr. Stahl appeared before the Board in April, 2021 to request the Town's consent for transfer of ownership and control of Not Your Grandpa's Tobacco, Inc. to Izapa Stela 5 LLC. Mr. Stahl explained that the new plans also included manufacturing of refined cannabis product. The Board tabled the discussion to check that the zoning of the property allowed for the manufacturing component. (The property is zoned R80, Rural Residential.)
On April 26, 2021, Mr. Stahl appeared before the Board again. It was determined that the zoning was fine for the proposed use. The Board approved a motion "to authorize the Interim Town Manager to enter into a new Host Community Agreement with 'Izapa Stela 5 LLC' located at 703 School St. to include Adult Use Retail, Manufacturing and Cultivation Establishments" and to null and void the HCA with Not Your Grandpa's Tobacco Inc. However, the new HCA with Izapa Stela 5 LLC was never made. Interim Town Manager Steve Delaney concluded his service to the town just one week later, as of the May 3, 2021 Annual Town Meeting. (See Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes April 12 2021, Item 7.1 (PDF), and Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes April 26 2021, Item 8.1 (PDF).)
Town Manager Justin Sultzbach opened the May 23 hearing, explaining, "At this time, there aren't any substantial changes to the proposed business plan, but there is a proposed change to the ownership. And so I felt it would make sense given the large component of the host community agreement and this board giving authorization, is the feel that you get for the ownership and leadership team of the organization."
Mr. Mortillaro introduced himself and the company, saying Izapa Stela 5 LLC "is a local and minority owned cannabis company committed to dispensing consistent, high quality tested cannabis and cannabis derived products for both adult and medical use...We will have a variety of cannabis strains, extractions and infused products and all of this will be in accordance with the state laws and regulations.
"We are a craft cannabis operator. We're not corporate. We're not backed by any out of state groups," Mr. Montillaro said. "This is us, you are in the room now with the owners and operators. We're looking to have locally sourced craft cannabis. And we are recipients of the state's Social Equity Program, which was set up by the Cannabis Control Commission to help economically disadvantaged Social Equity applicants get through the legal licensing process. We on our team have biotech research professionals as well as very experienced business people to help see this through to success. I myself am a chemical engineer...this is a regulated product and we'll treat it as such."
Mr. Mortillaro stated that the five acre property is "an underutilized site" and all operations will take place indoors. "Our proposed hours of operation are [8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.], and the sales floor that is accessible to customers will be about 2500 feet. All products will be in locked display cases behind the counter or in storage vaults. As well as all products will be in storage vaults overnight in accordance with the CCC's regulations." Said regulations include the facility being further than 500 feet of any public or private school or K-12 educational institution, and the building only being accessible to adults over 21 with verified ID. As is required for Community Outreach meetings, Mr. Mortillaro spoke about the planned security and consumer safety policies.
"Consumers will be provided with education on proper dosing, effects of different strains, accessories, behavior to avoid and safety associated with these products. You've got a robust educational and safety program in this state that we'll be leveraging their literature and materials," Mr. Mortillaro promised. "All products will be sold in plain resealable tamper and child resistant packaging that is labeled according with state regulations. We will not sell more than one ounce of dried flower or five grams of concentrate to consumer per transaction. No products will be available for sale that contain nicotine or alcohol. Educational materials will range on topics but will include side effects, method of administration, dosage and substance abuse."
Veering a bit more into the sales pitch side, Mr. Mortillaro assured the Board of a quality product, saying, "We'll be using proprietary cultivation techniques to produce some of the best cannabis in the state." Great care will be taken to ensure that no product is diverted to minors.
Relevant to a topic of some concern in Winchendon these days, community pride and appearance, Mr. Mortillaro said, "If it's [the customer's] first time we'll ask them to sign a good stewardship agreement, which confirms their understanding of the laws here in Massachusetts around public consumption, transport and behaviors that will not be tolerated at the site. If a patron refuses to follow the good stewardship agreement they themselves have signed, their access [as a] customer with us in the future can be revoked. Any disturbance of the peace, loitering, littering, consumption of marijuana [on site] will not be tolerated."
The facility will have about 80 parking spaces, and expects to create some 65-75 jobs. "This is a large site. These are great jobs. We pay, you know, well above minimum wage, kin to living wages. And we're also looking to implement an employee stock program. So every employee from day one will be earning ownership in the company. There's of course monetary benefits to the town in the form of our tax revenues, all the property taxes or anything, major capital improvements to the site," Mr. Mortillaro said. "Finally, you know, we're looking to be involved in the community. We do need to submit a formal positive impact plan to the state. And we're looking for your input on how we can be good citizens, good neighbors, and how we can help out in a way that makes sense for the town."
Mr. Mortillaro explained that following this meeting, Izapa Stela 5 LLC will apply for a provisional license for the MCCC, which will allow them to begin construction of the site. After the site is complete it will need to pass an inspection to make sure all requirements have been met. Only then will they receive a license to begin operations. Once underway, the company will maintain sales tracking software and "will continue to be audited with surprise inspections from state regulators."
In response to questions from the Board, Mr. Mortillaro stated that the existing building will be remodeled with its existing footprint. Brushy vegetation in the immediate area of the building will be cleared for safety and security, but Izapa Stela 5 LLC does not plan to clear-cut the whole lot of trees, a concern expressed by Selectman Barbara Anderson. Ms. Anderson also asked questions about packaging of products such as gummies, and whether it might be too easy to simply pop down a bag of them. Mr. Mortillaro assured Ms. Anderson that the products are packaged with individual wrapping so consumers will be aware of how much they're consuming. Along with education, Mr. Mortillaro said, "I personally as a chemical engineer, I'm very excited about a process called nanoemulsification which allows that cannabis oil to be more bioavailable to the body. So rather than kicking in an hour or an hour and a half, you could get the effect within five to fifteen minutes, so much more receptive, knowing how your body is feeling. The other side to that is that these products will be edible products in this case, individually packaged in five milligram doses at most."
Mr. Mortillaro further explained that the anticipated square footage of manufacturing space is 5,000 square feet, and 14,000 square feet of cultivation space is planned. Asked about previous business experience, Mr. Stahl said, "I haven't owned a business. I have owned investment entities and managed investments. I've worked in real estate. I own multiple homes and homes. And so I've done property management for large management companies. I've done budgeting and analytics for investment projects and capital investments with building out different playlists. I've done nonprofit management work in early childhood education and then doing community development. But I haven't run a small business, but I do have mentors and people I'm working with and other people on the team that have that experience and I'll be bringing in additional people." Mr. Mortillaro explained that he has extensive experience as a consultant assisting cannabis businesses around the state. Evokanna LLC is his consulting firm.
Satisfied with the information given, Board of Selectmen Vice-Chair Rick Ward moved to authorize the Town Manager to enter into a new HCA with Izapa Stela 5 LLL and null and void the HCA with Not Your Grandpa's Tobacco Inc. However, Mr. Mortillaro interjected, explaining that they had hoped the previous HCA could be transferred to Izapa Stela 5 LLC, because cancelling the HCA would also cancel the provisional license attached to the business entity, which would "effectively reset the clock with the CCC. They'd be starting from the ground up if we went out of sequence."
After considerable discussion about the complications involved, the Board approved a motion to authorize the Town Manager to enter into negotiations with Izapa Stela 5 LLC for an updated Host Community Agreement.
Watch Community Outreach Meeting (starts at 00:21:25 on video)
WPS SPED Teachers Pick Up the Ball and Organize Special Olympics Meet in Record Time
Letting the balls roll.
Students compete in the competitive gave of Bocce Ball, trying to get their ball closest to the target.Photo by Keith Kent
Reaching for the sky.
It may be a track, but Special Olympic Students made good use of it for a Volleyball court on Friday, May 20.Photo by Keith Kent
As explained by MHS Special Education Teacher Catherine Ellis, the annual Special Olympics event was usually held at Quabbin Regional High School in Barre, MA. This year, due to higher COVID-19 local and regional positivity numbers, Quabbin decided to cancel the joint regional event entirely. Fully understanding what the Special Olympics means to the students and their families, Ellis, along with WDS Special Education faculty members Molly Gilbo from Murdock Middle School, Carliy Owiredu from Toy Town Elementary, and Jamie Hobbs of Memorial Elementary, who also teach the Alternative Lifelong Learning (ALL) Program, knew there was only one thing to do: "Put together their own local Special Olympic event and do it in just three weeks flat!"
Ellis, her fellow teachers, parents, and supporters began making phone calls. One parent donated bottled water; another, snacks and food. Support began pouring in from all angles. Strong local financial support came from Winchendon's Knights of the Inferno MC Ironsides Chapter who over the last two years has raised funds and donated some $3,500 to the very worthy charitable cause, helping those in need have their own special day to compete on a fair playing field, according to Ellis. Ellis added, "We want people to know, we couldn't have done this without the support of the local Knights of the Inferno MC chapter, they have been huge in helping support this cause."
Mark Desmarais of Winchendon is President of Knights of the Inferno, MC. About his MC's support of the local Special Olympics charitable cause, Desmarais told the Courier, "I am the president of the Knights of the Inferno M.C. We chose the local school district's Special Olympics program as one of the charities our Motorcycle club [supports]. My wife Cathy was a special education teacher for twenty years in the Winchendon school system. She was involved with the Special Olympics program. So it fell into place that we would raise money for that great program. We run a Special Olympics poker run annually which helps us raise the funds. Our next one will be in August. Specific date date to be determined in a week or two."
Air time!
This young man while blasting a soccer ball at the goalie, show his athletic ability with some hang time after his kick!Photo by Keith Kent
Water Balloon toss
How far can you step back and keep catching the balloon full of water without it exploding? This sport had students screaming in laughter all event long during the Special Olympics on warm late Friday morning and early afternoon.Photo by Keith Kent
Staff from various schools also took part. Memorial School Principal Chante Jillson jumped in on Volleyball with the students. Middle School Principal Jessica Vezina displayed her mad skills and catching techniques in Water Balloons, picking off assisting High School students one after another, smiling all the way. MHS Assistant Principal Doug Sochovka made plenty of rounds, helping keep an eye on things for assistance and moral support, and even Superintendent of Schools Thad King attended for part of the event in a show of support.
From 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. students broke from their event for lunch. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., one by one, students were called forward by name over the speakers just like other student athletes during Scheduled games, and each received a medal for playing and competing in the Special Olympics.
Pam Smith, mother of participating student Matthew Smith, summed up her son's chance to participate in the day's events as, "I think this is just great. That today this is not only local, but that the ALL Teachers organized this event. Students like my son have posters which have their names on them around the fence to help cheer them on, and there are event students from the Middle School and High School that are also here to help cheer them on. This is a great event for students like my son for sure. He likes to participate with his class and the students out here as he knows a lot of them, so he is enjoying being here today!"
MMS SPED teacher Molly Gilbo was very pleased with how the Special Olympics event went. Asked how it felt to see all the collective efforts come together for the students to have their own Special Olympics, Gilbo replied, "To me this is just so heartwarming and I am just so proud, I am beyond happy for them. A big thing our kids talk about is the Special Olympics, and I am just so glad that now we can do it on our own home turf. I am very thankful our community has come out and supported these kids as well. It's just wonderful we have so much support for these kids. We have donations from the 1st grade all the way up to post graduate. These students have also been practicing a lot during their P.E. Classes, and they are very proud their families are here watching and cheering them on here. I am just so very proud of them for what they are all accomplishing here today."
WPS School Committee member Karen Kast-McBride was also in attendance. Asked what the Special Olympics for the students meant to her, Kast-McBride explained, "As a parent of a student with special needs and a special education advocate, I think this is one of the best events I have seen in our school district and I want to see more events like this in the district recognizing our students with special needs." Of the Special Education Teachers putting the event together in just three weeks due to the Quabbin Regional H.S. cancellation, Kast-McBride said, "I make it no secret, I think we in our teachers think we have the best staff in the state when it comes to pulling anything off quickly, and I think if they would like to host this again next year, we should be able to do it without it having to be in a three week window of a time period. I know I would be happy to help them in any way."
MHS Special Education Teacher Catherine Ellis said, "This has been an absolute joy, it's been exciting, and very rewarding. Our kids have missed out on so much in the last few years, and when the event got cancelled, we decided we were going to have to do it ourselves and it's worked out great today. The students have had a great time, and so have their parents. We just want to thank everybody who helped out and supported the event, and it was just great to be able to host the Special Olympics for our students."
Corn Hole!
Just one of seven event stations, student as seen here took turns at the game of Corn Hole, trying to get the bag in the hole, where every once in a while you would hear the athlete yell, "Yes"!Photo by Keith Kent
Group Medal Photo
Special Olympic student from all four Schools, Memorial Elementary, Toy Town Elementary, Murdock Middle School, and Murdock High School, proudly pose together with their medals in a well deserved group photo at the end of the event, finalizing an amazing day for the WPS Special Olympics.Photo by Keith Kent
Veterans to be Honored at Winchendon Winds' Season Opener
Winchendon Winds opens its six-concert series this Sunday, May 29, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 126 Central Street, with its annual "Veterans' Tribute" concert. Win Winds is coordinating with Winchendon American Legion Post 193 to execute a moving and inspirational event. The concert begins with the Post 193 Color Guard and a special arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner. Win Winds will perform a variety of hymns, marches, and patriotic tunes, including "Fanfare for the Common Man," "America the Beautiful," and "Salvation is Created."
Post Commander Mark Desmarais will read the names and military branches of every veteran present and Rev. Inanna Arthen will give a blessing. Following the concert, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Winchendon American Legion Post 193 will host a lawn reception with beverages and refreshments. Admission for the concert and reception is free.
"Win Winds" is a 40-piece, professional-level band featuring the full gamut of band instrumentation including brass, woodwinds, and percussion. The band's reputation for exemplary performances and ability to play a broad range of music have drawn a loyal following to its Sunday afternoon concerts. They are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supported by generous grants from the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation, and the Ashburnham, Athol, Gardner, Phillipston, Royalston, Templeton, and Winchendon Cultural Councils, as well as several local businesses and individuals. You can follow their news on their Facebook page: facebook.com/WinchendonWinds or their website: winchendonwinds.org.
Four legged creatures hanging out with the two!
This Eastern Cottontail rabbit has frequented the bike path giving pleasure to many walking and biking along the bike path near Black Bridge just behind the YMCA Track, with children stopping on their bikes yelling "Bunny"! to their parents while riding. The Eastern Cottontail is the most common species of any rabbit in North America.Photo by Keith Kent
This common Groundhog has also been seen frequenting the area and sharing space with its neighbor Eastern Cottontail rabbit along the first stretch of the bike path by the bridge. Groundhogs, which are also commonly know as a "Woodchuck," are members of the rodent family, and belong to a large group of ground squirrels known as marmots. Photos of both the Cottontail rabbit and Goundhog taken on Wednesday, May 25.Photo by Keith Kent
MMHS and MHS Music Groups End the Year on a Crescendo with Spring Pops Concert
Helmed by music director Emma Erwin, the small but growing Murdock Middle High School Music department wrapped up an inspiring year with a spring Pops Concert, in collaboration with Winchendon-based professional concert band Winchendon Winds, who joined the student ensembles as guest artists on Wednesday night, May 25.
As part of this collaboration funded by a grant from the David Greenewalt Charitable Trust, Winchendon Winds players, many of whom are professional music educators, taught one-on-one workshops to MHS instrumentalists on Saturday, May 21.
On Wednesday evening, around 80 enthusiastic music boosters formed the audience for the Pops Concert featuring the Select Choir singing a cappella, the High School and Middle School Choirs, the High School and Middle School Bands, two solo performances, a performance of four numbers by Winchendon Winds, and a finale of two band pieces performed by Winchendon Winds and High School Band members playing together. Sharon Beaty accompanied the ensembles on piano.
Most of the musical selections were familiar pieces from movies, TV shows or video games, as Ms. Erwin explained, giving the program a light-hearted feel. The first half kicked off with the Select Choir singing the tune "Lollipop." The Middle School Choir followed with a rendition of the poignant "Feed the Birds" from the Disney movie Mary Poppins and John Lennon's song, "Imagine."
Trumpet player Bradley Wightman then performed the Frank Sinatra classic "Fly Me to the Moon" as a solo.
The High School Choir took the stage with five enjoyable numbers: "Africa" by the group TOTO (accompanied with African drums), "A Thousand Years" (composed for the movie Twilight: Breaking Dawn), "Double Trouble" (written by John Williams for the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), "I See the Light" (from the Disney film Tangled) and finally, "Shule Aroon" a traditional piece sung in Irish Gaelic. Concluding the first half, all choirs combined joined in the New Zealand sea shanty, "The Wellerman."
After a brief intermission, it was time for the instrumentalists to shine. Opening the second half, MHS flutist Tiana Graessle was joined by Winchendon Winds piccolo player Jen Kramer for "The Garland Waltz" from Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty.
The High School Band took their seats to play "CircuitBreaker," an instrumental arrangement of "You'll Be Back" from the musical Hamilton, "Apollo's Chariot," the theme music from the movie Back to the Future, and "Carpathia," a piece written to memorialize the first ship to respond and rescue survivors after the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
The High School and Middle School Bands combined to play an arrangment of Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water," which showcased the Middle School Band's ten percussionists.
Winchendon Winds came onstage to play four concert band pieces: Aaron Copland's well-known "Fanfare for the Common Man," "American Overture," "American River Songs" and "American Patrol." To bring the evening to a triumphant conclusion, Murdock High School band members joined Winchendon Winds in playing "Salvation is Created" and "Byzantine Dances."
The concert included one more highlight: the presentation of the John Philip Sousa Band Awards®. Introduced in 1955 by The Instrumentalist magazine, the Sousa Award "recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication," and is given out to the high school junior or senior who has shown the highest level of achievement. Their names are permanently recorded in the national register of award winners. This year, the Murdock students presented with the Sousa Award were baritone player Abby Guerra and flutist Tiana Graessle.
There was no rush for the doors at the concert's end; student musicians and audience members lingered for happy chatter in front of the stage for some time. After two years of the pandemic, seeing theatre and music back on the MMHS stage is a joyful thing indeed.
The Combined Choirs sing "The Wellerman."
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Combined MMHS and MHS bands play "Smoke on the Water."
Photo by Inanna Arthen
MHS trumpet player Bradley Wightman performs a solo of "Fly Me to the Moon."
Photo by Inanna Arthen
MHS players (in black shirts) and Winchendon Winds stand for enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Winchendon COVID Rate Above 8 Percent for Third Week Running
Toy Town Vaccination Rates Remain Among Lowest in Entire State
The COVID-19 viral positivity rate for Winchendon as of the Thursday, May 26, Massachusetts Department of Public Health update is 8.68 percent, which with the past two consecutive weeks of 8.81 and 8.53, leaves Toy Town with a three week average of 8.67 percent positivity. The Massachusetts average has increased from 8.11 to 8.95 percent, slightly higher than Winchendon.
While six of the ten towns around Winchendon have increased in positivity and only four have gone down, those four went down so much that they actually slightly reduced the average for the area from 8.22 to 7.80 percent.
Besides Winchendon, the towns that have increased are Ashburnham at 8.78 percent, Ashby at 6.25 percent, Westminster at a very high 11.25 percent, Gardner moving from 6.42 to 7.99 percent, and Athol increasing from 5.50 to 5.83 percent. Those decreasing in positivity were Templeton going from 7.48 to 5.70 percent, its school district partner Phillipston going from 9.28 to 5.43 percent, Royalston going from 12.79 to 10.71 percent, and Hubbardston south of Gardner decreasing from 10.00 percent to 7.11 percent.
The data tracking yields interesting long term comparisons. As Chair of the Board of Health, I have been following positivity numbers through the three variants we have generally been exposed to in the United States: Delta, Omicron, and the current Omicron BA.2 sub-variant. A year ago at this time, the United States was beginning to transition slowly out of the Delta variant, which was less contagious but far more deadly especially for those with pre-existing conditions, to Omicron. Exactly one year ago to the day, as Chair I documented the Winchendon viral positivity rate at just 1.22 percent, Athol at 0.62 percent, and Gardner at just 2.57 percent. Compare those to today's numbers, and there is no doubt as science proves, VIRUSES MUTATE. COVID-19 isn't going anywhere, and is here to stay. Thus, we are all in some way, the thankful benefactors of more modern medical developments and treatments. We are currently living with a positivity rate 74 percent higher in Winchendon than one year ago at this time.
Additionally, on May 27, 2021, one year prior to this Public Health Update's publication, Winchendon's fully vaccinated percentage rate was just 52 percent. Today, one full year later, Winchendon remains at just 57 percent fully vaccinated, meaning based on a Mass DPH listed population of 10,780 residents, only 539 Winchendon residents became fully vaccinated in 365 days, the majority of which were teenagers. Winchendon continues to be among the lowest ten towns for vaccination rates in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In closing, the Town of Winchendon Board of Health continues to recommend vaccination for the COVID-19 virus, if one is healthy enough to do so. If you have pre-existing conditions or are immuno-compromised, please consult with your medical physician with any questions you may have about becoming vaccinated if you have not yet done so and are considering such.
Keith Kent
Chair
Board Of Health
Town of Winchendon
Over 90 for 90!
It was busy day on Sunday, May 22 at the Lake Dennison State Park Beach, as temps broke 90 degrees, and over 90 people could be counted by mid to late afternoon looking for a way to cool off in an abnormally warm spring day. Both the cooking area adjacent to the public beach, and many on water craft could also be seen enjoying the popular state park, as well as the peninsula portion of the campgrounds first opening. Seen in this photo, is just part of the total crowd using the beach area, not including many in the water.Photo by Keith Kent
Four legs says I'll take point!
While the majority of people enjoyed actually being in the water, there was also no shortage on Sunday, May 22, of those taking advantage of floating on top of it. Seen in this photo, a kayak designed to provided seating for one, makes plenty of room for two, as this pair takes their four legged friend out for a leisurely stroll as it claims both point and lead enjoying a great time on the waters of Lake Dennison.Photo by Keith Kent
